Army and defence salaries to rise 10% from January 2027

Employees in North Macedonia's Army and the broader defense sector will receive a 10 percent pay increase starting in January 2027, Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski announced. The adjustment is included in the government's proposed budget for 2027, which has been approved at a government session and is now in parliamentary procedure.

The ministry says the raise will amount to increases ranging from 4,000 to 11,000 denars in absolute terms for different pay grades. Misajlovski described the change as an unprecedented increase in cash value for the sector.

“This is the largest increase in absolute terms in history. That means that the base salary is increasing, but also all components that are included in the pay. I promised many times that I would work together with the unions, with the Army, to make this institution the best in the country, and with this step we are truly becoming one of the best institutions in the country. The employees deserve it, the Army deserves it,” Misajlovski said at a press conference.

Budget and wider defence spending

The pay rise is foreseen in the draft 2027 budget. Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska said when presenting the proposal that funds equal to 2 percent of GDP are earmarked to strengthen defence capacities, modernize and equip the Army, and fulfil obligations from NATO membership.

Misajlovski thanked Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Minister Dimitrieska-Kochoska for enabling the inclusion of the pay increases and other army priorities in the 2027 budget. The finance ministry projects economic growth of 3.8 percent for 2027 and inflation of 3.2 percent.

Officials also indicated personnel policy changes alongside the pay rise, noting that professional soldiers will be able to remain in the Army after reaching the age of 45.

Photo: press material from the event